Gaylene Cummerfield

'The repertoire was a big deciding factor for us,' says Gaylene Cummerfield of her transfer to Birmingham Royal Ballet, along with husband and fellow dancer Matthew Lawrence. 'We wanted to be in a big ballet company that did all the classics as well as some new works. And that's one thing that we've really enjoyed since we've been here; the varied rep and the different parts that I'd not have been able to do if I had not come here!'

In January 2008, Gaylene joined the Company from Australian Ballet. The First Soloist was already familiar with one or two pieces in the new season, but the move meant that even these works offered new opportunities.

'Sir Peter Wright came over to stage his production of The Nutcracker the year before we left,' Gaylene recalls. 'But it's been quite interesting that I've been cast in different roles in the piece, because I'm seen as a taller dancer in this Company, whereas back there I was quite average height. It's amazing how you can move to a different Company and you're seen completely differently, so you can do different roles even in the same ballets, which has been really nice too.'

The year began with some immediate highlights for both her and husband Matthew. 'When we started here Matt and I got to do the traditional production of Swan Lake which we both love. The Oz ballet don't have one in the rep at this stage - they're doing a more modern one - so it was really nice to get to do that.'

'The Jazz bill that we performed at the same time was also a fun triple bill, and quite different; we had never done a programme like that before. And then we went straight onto the split tour and me and Matt did Elite Syncopations together which I loved. Then we were back to Birmingham for Giselle. I'd done that before as the Queen, although in a slightly different version.

The summer season of Giselle was also a highlight for other reasons. 'I had all my family over!' she beams. 'They all came within a month of each other, but only a few at a time so I got to see them all. Mum and Dad came and saw a few shows of Giselle - and Baiser de la fée, they got to see me in that one too.

The summer performances of Giselle brought to a close a hectic 2007-08 season. The 2008-09 season has been just as busy too, with an extensive autumn tour, a packed out Nutcracker season and a three-week tour to China just around the corner.

While Gaylene describes Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Australian Ballet as quite similar Companies, she explains that the tours are not the same: 'Back in Australia it's very different. We were away on tour a lot – for five months of the year - but you'd stay in one place for longer. We'd do seven week blocks in Sydney, for example. So there's less travelling around and you get a little more established in each place which makes it easier to get into a routine and eat well!

'But because you're doing longer runs, you don't do quite as many things in a year. Here though, you do so much rep so it keeps it really interesting. Even though it's a lot of learning, it keeps you on your toes and keeps it exciting and leaves you wanting to do even more!

ENDS